I said I’d be old when this happened.

Yes, it’s true, I did say this.

When my oldest child graduated from high school, I was asked, “Do you feel old now?” To which, my snappy come-back jumped into gear and replied. “No. But when my youngest graduates, then I will feel old.” Well, here it is, seven years later, and in a few days that youngest child will be all dressed up in a bright blue cap and gown and receiving her high school diploma. So I ask myself now. Do I feel old?

Actually I don’t. I have discovered that old is in the eye of the individual. I have met youthful 80 year olds and ancient 20 year olds. To me age is less in the condition of our bodies, and more in the way we view ourselves as a person. I don ‘t need or want botox, liposuction, or breast augmentation to make me feel young. I just had surgery for authentic medical reasons thank you very much, undergoing more just to “make my self all purtified” is just more pain then I want to undergo. I do color my hair, but leave a rather large white streak right in front. The color helps hide my pre-mature grey, and the white streak left behind is left for two reasons. First, it is distinctive, and second, covering it up, means I have to do so every three weeks, my hair grows that fast. I’m too lazy to do it that often. I could leave off the color, but I’m a hairdresser by trade, so I do color it. It’s been a nice variety of shades and hues. In fact my hair hasn’t been its natural color in a very long time. Yep, I admit it, my hair is addicted to pigment.

My body just is what allows me to walk around this old earth. So I have stretch marks and a pillow belly. Big deal. I still have a sense of humor, the ability to appreciate and enjoy life, the knowledge that my body works quite well for what I’ve put it through, and enough creative juices a flowing to keep my brain from getting bored. Now if I could only keep those pesky chin whiskers from cropping up.

So when will I feel old? Ask me again when my first, and currently only grandchild graduates high school, in 18 years.

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Chubby, Quirky, and with an odd sense of humor, Sylvie often wonders if she is supposed to really be in the corner of the world she finds herself. Insomnia, a vivid imagination, and whatever odd song is stuck in her head gives her as much inspiration as nature, society and family.